University of Michigan - Michiganensian Yearbook (Ann Arbor, MI)

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michigan student assembly F ' . II The Michigan Student Assembly, MSA, served as the central student government on campus to bridge this gap over the school year. MSA strived to implement change that would improve campus life for the entire student body by serving as the official student voice to the administration. Some of the more notable events and services MSA brought to campus were a visit by Michael Moore and a Battle of the Bands on Palmer Field. In addition to five executive officers, MSA was comprised of approximately 40 elected representatives. The number of representatives elected from each college was proportional to the size of the college. Junior computer science engineering major Khoi Nguyen said, Running for MSA is by far the most tiring, most exhausting, and most time consuming activity I have done. But by the election day, you realize that [running] is by far the most thrilling experience you have ever had. Students on campus had the opportunity to contribute to MSA through five committees and 14 commissions. Junior economics major Rese Fox said, committees and commissions are a great way to participate in student government without actually being a representative or campaigning. The Academic Affairs Commissions worked with the administration to change the policies regarding exam conflicts with religious holidays, the Voice Your Vote Commission registered over 10,000 students to vote through several different efforts prior to the election, and the Campus Safety Commission worked to improve lighting on campus. MSA also collaborated with student groups on campus through community service and funding. All student organizations were required to register with MSA prior to applying for and receiving funding. The Budget Priorities Committee distributed $200,000 to the different organizations on campus and the Community Service Commission distributed over $100,000 in funding to community service-based organizations. ro vO cf5 ' a D It n by : arti mattu

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Front Row: Anita Leung, Jennifer Nathan, Jason Mironov, Amy McGovern, Ashley Pyatenko Row 2: Matt Pianko, Amy Friedman, Kimberly Klanow, Maureen Cebula.Sashai Alvarez, Sam Woll Row 3: J.Andre Westbrook, Riana Elyse Anderson, Katherine McGee.Ash- wini Hardikar, Doreen O ' Donovan, Kimberly Gaston, Jesse Levine, Amanda Hang, Charles Adside III Back Row: Natalie Phelps, Nata- lie Leonhard, Matthew Wright Hollerbach, Jason Amos, Yochanan Zakai, Justin Paul, Jonathan Anderson, Matt Baum, Ian Fette, Brian Doughty, David Christiansen, Gregory Lavigne Jr., Paul Spurgeon, Russell Garber C. Leonard photo Michigan Student Assembly takes a retreat Two volunteers show off the M Vote every August before the school year begins. Students looked to MSA to bridge the gap betwee n the administration and students. Photo courtesy Anita Leung t-shirts that Michigan Student Assembly gave to volunteers during their effort to register voters for the 2004 election. The group registered over 1 0,000 voters. Phot courtesy Anita Leung

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Front Row: Sam Weihman, Brain Schwadron, Aaron Dodd, Royce Ebenal, Will Faulkner, Andrew Finn, Max Mikulec, Brett Barna, Benjamin Crotte.Adam Kelsey, David Koren Row 2: Arin Aragona, Matt Kuriluk, Ben Becker, Dan Kuriluk, Peter Emiley, Mike Eller, Karl Seibertjosh Rubin, Kyle Geralds, Ted Pixley.Tim Farrow.Jacob Castiglione Back Row: MattTrenary, Kevin Mulligan, Darryl Ford, Steve Smolinski, Matt Resales, Nick Warack, Matt Russell, Nick Stadts, Nate Schafrick, Sultan Sharrieff, Kevin Vanderjack, Scott McClelland, John Morgan, Luke Meinzen, Evan Currie, Aaron Turk, Mike Rakiter, Nick Dyrda, Kyle Geis, Pat Davis, Nick Harris, Wes Farrow K. Deutfcb photo The Michigan men ' s club rugby team finished the 2004 season with an 11-0 record, the best record thus far in the organizations existence. The season included a 7-0 record in regular season games and then four playoffs wins. With these playoff wins, the team earned the Midwest Championship. Senior psychology and economics major and team captain Wesley Farrow said, We dominated teams throughout the regular season. Even in the playoff, the closest game was the 15-3 margin against Bowling Green State University in the Midwest finals. While the team did not begin competing until late in the winter semester, the training for the season began long before then. Farrow said, In fall we practice two times a week for two hours each time. Fitness and small group practices are on the team member ' s own time. In the winter spring, we practice three times a week for an hour and a half each time. Once the regular season began, the team competed throughout the Midwest, including games against the University of Wisconsin, Michigan State University and Bowling Green State University, Scoring an average of 47.81 points per- game and only allowing 6.72 points scored against them, the University ' s team cruised to victory in all regular season matches. As it was a club sport, the men ' s rugby team received a limited amount of support from the University. Therefore, recruiting was not an option. While they lacked the ability to recruit freshmen, new students still found their place on the team, such as first-year LSA students John Domanskis and Justin Gilson. What made the most difference on the outcome of the season was experience. Senior business major Andrew Finn said, The team started 12 seniors in the Midwest finals, all of whom were pillars of the team, most notably: Nick Warack, Slutan Sharrief, Farrow, Aaron Turk and Mark Kuriluk. The Midwest finals capped off a historic season for the team. Farrow said about the teams goals, We met before starting practice in winter of 2004 and set many goals for the team. They included beating Michigan State, which we hadn ' t d one in 10 years, going undefeated, and winning the Midwest Championship. QQO COO men ' s rugby by : eileen hengel